Toy hang glider for both flying and launching

ABSTRACT

A toy hang glider for both flying and launching is described. The toy hang glider comprises a frame portion with a wing portion connected with the frame portion. The wing portion operates as a wind catch. A kite string attachment is attached with the frame portion. A launcher catch is also attached with the frame portion. Using the kite string attachment, a user may fly the toy hang glider. Alternatively, using the launcher catch and a launcher, the user may launch the toy hang glider to float freely to the ground. The present invention further comprises a launcher. The launcher is operable for attaching with the launcher catch and detaching with the launcher catch to launch the toy hang glider.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a non-provisional patent application, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/730,082, filed on Oct. 24, 2005, entitled, “Kite and Release Mechanism.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a toy hang glider, and more particularly to a toy hang glider that can be flown while tethered to a flight string or be launched to float freely to the ground.

(2) Description of Related Art

Toy kites have long been known in the art. Typically, kites consist of some sort of air catch or wing device that is flown in the air while tethered to a string. Recently, toy kites have been formed to emulate hang gliders. Existing toy hang gliders simulate the appearance of a hang glider yet are tethered to a flight string like traditional toy kites. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to launch a toy hang glider so that it floats freely like its real counterpart.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a toy hang glider that can be flown like a kite or launched to float freely to the ground.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy hang glider. The toy hang glider comprises a frame portion with a wing portion connected with the frame portion. The wing portion operates as a wind catch. A kite string attachment is attached with the frame portion. A launcher catch is also attached with the frame portion. Using the kite string attachment, a user may fly the toy hang glider. Alternatively, using the launcher catch and a launcher, the user may launch the toy hang glider to float freely to the ground.

The present invention further comprises a launcher. The launcher is operable for attaching with the launcher catch and detaching with the launcher catch to launch the toy hang glider.

In another aspect, the toy hang glider has a rear portion and the launcher catch further comprises an open-ended catch having an open end. The open end faces the rear portion.

In another aspect, a ring is attached with the elastic member for connecting with the launcher catch.

In another aspect, the launcher includes a handle member and an elastic member. The handle member is operable for being held in place by a user while the launcher catch is connected with the elastic member, thereby allowing a user to pull the toy hang glider away from the handle member and stretch the elastic member. Upon release, the elastic member contracts to launch the toy hang glider.

The handle member includes two handle portions with the elastic member connecting the two handle portions. In this aspect, two users can hold each of the handle portions while a third user connects the launcher catch with the elastic member to stretch and release the elastic member, thereby launching the toy hang glider.

The present invention further comprises a sling attached with the frame portion. The sling is formed to hold a simulated hang glider user. A simulated hang glider user is attached with the sling.

In yet another aspect, the simulated hang glider user has hands. Additionally, the simulated hang glider user has hands and a portion of the frame portion is formed as a simulated steering bar that is connected with the simulated hang glider user's hands.

In another aspect, a stake is attached with the rear portion. As such, a user can stake the toy hang glider with a ground surface and then attach the elastic member with the launcher catch to stretch the elastic member and create a stretching force, such that when the stretching force exceeds a force holding the stake in the ground surface, the stake will be pulled from the ground surface with the toy hang glider being launched.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the toy hang glider described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a side-view illustration of a toy hang glider according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a user using a launcher according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of multiple users using a launcher according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the toy hang glider being staked to a ground surface to enable launching;

FIG. 5 is a front-view illustration of a toy hang glider according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom-view illustration of a toy hang glider according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a toy hang glider, and more particularly to a toy hang glider that can be flown while tethered to a flight string or be launched to float freely to the ground. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C.

Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction.

Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

The present invention relates to a toy hang glider that can be flown while tethered to a flight string or be launched to float freely to the ground. As shown in FIG. 1, the toy hang glider 100 comprises a frame portion 102 for supporting a wing portion 104. The frame portion 102 is formed of any suitably rigid material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic and metal. The wing portion 104 is connected with the frame portion 102 to operate as a wind catch and provide lift for the toy hang glider 100. The wing portion 104 is formed of any suitably light weight material that is capable of operating as a wind catch, non-limiting examples of which include plastic and nylon.

A kite string attachment 106 is attached with the frame portion 102 to allow a user to attach kite string to the toy hang glider 100 fly the hang glider 100. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the kite string attachment 106 can be either directly or indirectly attached with the frame portion 102, so long as it is securedly attached with the toy hang glider 100.

A launcher catch 108 is attached with the frame portion 102. The launcher catch 108 is formed to be attached/detached with a launcher. As shown in FIG. 2, a launcher 200 is included that is operable for attaching/detaching with the toy hang glider 100. The launcher 200 includes a handle member 202 and an elastic member 204. With the elastic member 202, the launcher 200 operates similar to that of a slingshot. The handle member 202 is operable for being held in place by a user 206 while the launcher catch is connected with the elastic member 204. The elastic member 202 can include a ring for looping around the launcher catch. Once attached, the user 206 can pull the toy hang glider 100 away from the handle member 202 to stretch the elastic member 204. Upon release, the elastic member 204 contracts to launch the toy hang glider 100. Using a ring reduces the risk of the elastic member 202 getting caught up with the toy hang glider once released.

The elastic member is formed of any suitably elastic material, a non-limiting example of which includes rubber. Additionally, the handle member 202 is formed of any suitably rigid material, a non-limiting example of which includes plastic (or metal).

As shown in FIG. 1, the toy hang glider 100 has a rear portion 110 such that the launcher catch 108 is an open-ended catch having an open end 112 that faces the rear portion 110. The launcher catch 108 acts as a hook for attaching with the elastic member or ring. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, by being open-ended, the launcher catch 108 is freely released from the elastic member when launched. Additionally, the rear portion 110 includes a stake 114 for affixing the toy hang glider 100 with a ground surface.

In another aspect and as shown in FIG. 3, the launcher 200 includes two handle portions 202 with the elastic member 204 connecting the two handle portions. In this aspect, two users 300 can hold each of the handle portions 202 while a third user 302 connects the launcher catch with the elastic member 204. The third user 302 can then stretch and release the elastic member 204 and thereby launch the toy hang glider 100.

As shown in FIG. 4, using the stake 114, a user can stake the toy hang glider 100 with a ground surface. Two users 300 can then attach the elastic member 204 with the launcher catch and then stretch the elastic member 204 to create a stretching force. When the stretching force exceeds the force holding the stake 114 in the ground, the stake 114 will be pulled from the ground with the toy hang glider 100 being launched. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the launcher 200 can be formed to allow single user to launch the toy hang glider 100 when it is staked to the ground surface.

FIG. 5 is a front-view illustration of the toy hang glider 100 according to the present invention. In another aspect, a sling 500 is attached with the frame portion 102. The sling 500 is formed to hold and attach a simulated hang glider user 502. For further simulated realism, the simulated hang glider user 502 has hands 504. Additionally, a portion of the frame 102 is formed as a simulated steering bar 506 that is connected with the simulated hang glider user's hands 504.

For further illustration, FIG. 6 is a bottom-view of the toy hang glider 100. As clearly shown in FIG. 6, the simulated hang glider user 502 is encased within the sling 500. 

1. A toy hang glider, comprising: a frame portion; a wing portion connected with the frame portion, the wing portion operating as a wind catch; a launcher catch attached with the frame portion, whereby using the launcher catch and a launcher, the user may launch the toy hang glider to float freely to the ground.
 2. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a launcher, the launcher being operable for attaching with the launcher catch and detaching with the launcher catch to launch the toy hang glider.
 3. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a kite string attachment attached with the frame portion, whereby using the kite string attachment, a user may fly the toy hang glider.
 4. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 3, wherein the toy hang glider has a rear portion and wherein the launcher catch further comprises an open-ended catch having an open end, with the open end facing the rear portion.
 5. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 4, wherein the launcher includes a handle member and an elastic member, where the handle member is operable for being held in place by a user while the launcher catch is connected with the elastic member, thereby allowing a user to pull the toy hang glider away from the handle member and stretch the elastic member, such that upon release, the elastic member contracts to launch the toy hang glider.
 6. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a stake attached with the rear portion, whereby a user can stake the toy hang glider with a ground surface and then attach the elastic member with the launcher catch to stretch the elastic member and create a stretching force, such that when the stretching force exceeds a force holding the stake in the ground surface, the stake will be pulled from the ground surface with the toy hang glider being launched.
 7. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 6, wherein the handle member includes two handle portions with the elastic member connecting the two handle portions, thereby allowing two users to hold each of the handle portions while a third user connects the launcher catch with the elastic member to stretch and release the elastic member to launch the toy hang glider.
 8. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a sling attached with the frame portion, the sling being formed to hold a simulated hang glider user.
 9. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a simulated hang glider user attached with the sling.
 10. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 9, wherein the simulated hang glider user has hands and wherein a portion of the frame portion is formed as a simulated steering bar that is connected with the simulated hang glider user's hands.
 11. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 2, wherein the launcher includes a handle member and an elastic member, where the handle member is operable for being held in place by a user while the launcher catch is connected with the elastic member, thereby allowing a user to pull the toy hang glider away from the handle member and stretch the elastic member, such that upon release, the elastic member contracts to launch the toy hang glider.
 12. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 11, wherein the handle member includes two handle portions with the elastic member connecting the two handle portions, thereby allowing two users to hold each of the handle portions while a third user connects the launcher catch with the elastic member to stretch and release the elastic member to launch the toy hang glider.
 13. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 1, wherein the toy hang glider has a rear portion and wherein the launcher catch further comprises an open-ended catch having an open end, with the open end facing the rear portion.
 14. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a sling attached with the frame portion, the sling being formed to hold a simulated hang glider user.
 15. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 14, further comprising a simulated hang glider user attached with the sling.
 16. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 15, wherein the simulated hang glider user has hands and wherein a portion of the frame portion is formed as a simulated steering bar that is connected with the simulated hang glider user's hands.
 17. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 1, wherein the toy hang glider has a rear portion and further comprises a stake attached with the rear portion, whereby a user can stake the toy hang glider with a ground surface and then attach the elastic member with the launcher catch to stretch the elastic member and create a stretching force, such that when the stretching force exceeds a force holding the stake in the ground surface, the stake will be pulled from the ground surface with the toy hang glider being launched.
 18. A toy hang glider as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a kite string attachment attached with the frame portion, whereby using the kite string attachment, a user may fly the toy hang glider.
 19. A toy hang glider, comprising: a frame portion; a wing portion connected with the frame portion, the wing portion operating as a wind catch; a kite string attachment attached with the frame portion; a launcher catch attached with the frame portion, whereby using the kite string attachment, a user may fly the toy hang glider, and using the launcher catch and a launcher, the user may launch the toy hang glider to float freely to the ground; further comprising a launcher, the launcher being operable for attaching with the launcher catch and detaching with the launcher catch to launch the toy hang glider; wherein the toy hang glider has a rear portion and wherein the launcher catch further comprises an open-ended catch having an open end, with the open end facing the rear portion; wherein the launcher includes a handle member and an elastic member, where the handle member is operable for being held in place by a user while the launcher catch is connected with the elastic member, thereby allowing a user to pull the toy hang glider away from the handle member and stretch the elastic member, such that upon release, the elastic member contracts to launch the toy hang glider. 